Australian $1 Coins

1984 $1 Coin

The $1 coin was introduced in 1984 to replace the extremely short lived
currency note of the same denomination. The changeover was rapid and the note, while still legal
tender, very quickly disappeared. The coin is aluminium-bronze - 92% copper, 6% aluminium and 2%
nickel providing a long wearing, lustrous golden finish. The reverse design shows a group of
kangaroos on the move reminicent of the kangaroo shown on pre-decimal pennies and halfpennies and was
based on a design for a $100 collector coin in 1979 which ended up not being released. In later years
the reverse design of the dollar coin has been changed each year to commemorate prominent people and
events.
The one dollar coin was minted to replace the note because notes only lasted in circulation for
about eight months, while coins average 30 years.

When the decision was made to introduce the $1 coin, various designs were considered. The winning
design by Stuart Devlin depicts the five kangaroos and is very iconic of Australia.
The design was originally intended for a gold $200 coin.
Collectors will find that the 1984 $1 coin is extremely common with many high grade examples around,
being the first year of issue there are literally millions of these hoarded around the country.